In Val-d'Oise, Yvelines, Eure and Oise, Vexin candidate for the UNESCO Global Geopark label

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The Swabian Jura, the Azores, Catalonia, Tuscany, the Northwest Highlands, the Shetland… Will the Vexin be included among these world-famous landscapes? In any case, this is the wish of the French Vexin Regional Natural Park which will apply to form a Geopark, an area protected and recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

Intended to reveal a geological territory to give meaning to the rest of the existing heritage, there are already seven in France (Quercy, Beaujolais, Ardèche, Lubéron, etc.), the last of which, “Maine-Normandie”, has just been created on the edge of the Pays de la Loire.

In Val-d'Oise, the territory concerned by such a project would integrate the perimeter of the French Vexin Regional Natural Parkwidened to the right bank of the Epte in the Eure, from Gisors to Gasny, but also from Chaumont to Méru (Oise), without forgetting the agglomeration community of Cergy-Pontoise. Four departments and three regions are targeted.

Scientific research

Beyond geography, other elements are needed to qualify for a Geopark designation.

Actions to protect and enhance sites of geological interest linked to the natural and cultural heritage of the territory.

Thus, a program of protection, education and sustainable development must be carried out, which is already the case with actions undertaken by the Pnr du Vexin français.

Scientific research is also needed, which is also the case with the approach undertaken by Dominique Frizon de Lamotte, professor emeritus, founder of the geoscience and environment department at the University of Cergy-Pontoise.

If we have to create a Geopark in Île-de-France, the only possible place is Vexin.

“The first echoes of the project are positive,” rejoices the scientist, even though the Geopark project is only in its infancy.

“The Vexin regional natural park would be willing to submit the file,” he already announces.

“For the moment, the idea is to know if we launch into the project, then a favorable opinion would come which would allow the steps to be taken,” warns Dominique Frizon de Lamotte.

A project manager would then be appointed to conduct a diagnosis.

“If we have to create a Geopark in Île-de-France, the only possible place is Vexin, which has sufficient assets to qualify for it,” specifies the teacher, author of a remarkable Guide to the geological curiosities of Vexin.

“If the Vexin does not have a spectacular geology like in the Alps or the Pyrenees, we can rely on its geomorphological processes which have formed its landscapes and what they tell us,” he defends.

The notion of homogeneity is thus defended.

“In the UNESCO regulations, the uniqueness of the territory is mentioned,” recalls Dominique Frizon de Lamotte.

Beyond the living landscape, active research work must also be undertaken. A university thesis is underway around ancient landslides, in the geological zone which formed the Vexin.

Including as far as Cergy-Pontoise, whose birth led to the creation of the Pnr du Vexin français, to slow down urbanization in the rural and agricultural area.

The natural risk prevention aspect is integrated into the project by involving the Oise-Aisne, Epte and Seine-Ouest unions.

“If we talk about landscape, we necessarily mention erosion and water,” underlines the professor.

Without constraint

If the Geopark were created, it would be an additional asset for this territory. “Particularly for its tourism aspect,” notes the initiator of the project, who was able to measure the public's enthusiasm during the Geological Walks that he launched.

Unlike a regional natural park, the Geopark does not impose any constraints on its perimeter.

“Neither legal, nor financial, nor administrative,” reassures Dominique Frizon de Lamotte. No administrative headquarters or hiring to be expected.

Its creation would be confirmed by a global label, issued after a field visit by UNESCO experts.

A presentation day will take place on January 23, 2025 at the University of Cergy-Neuville, with the national landscape school of Versailles (Yvelines).

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